Why build something when it’s already built for you?
I discovered Ren’py today when I was checking out our planned C++ coding approach using Allegro Library and GTK+, while at the same time taking a look at the pygame library my friend suggested I look at. Since I haven’t really settled for C++/Allegro yet as of the moment, I can still change engines without dealing with much wasted time. But what I’ve noticed about pygame definitely impressed me.
Apart from python being a more powerful and flexible programming language than C++, pygame is directly utilized in the making of Ren’py, which I believe will solve a lot of headaches I’ve been having lately as far as planning and development for VN goes. Furthermore, Renpy has builtin support for integrating outside games directly coded in python, which makes transitioning rather easy. My only worry is that while I have a decent hang of basic coding in python, I have no experience in building projects in it… well I guess there’s a first time for everything.
The investigations will continue for now. I recommend my team members download Ren’py and try it out. The game has a very good demo =).
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Actually, I think Ren’py just made my decision for me. This engine is excellent, with plenty of room for added functionality. It may not scan in external files, but the syntax is very simple to use and probably a lot easier to manage than that formatting stuff I wrote a few weeks ago. The ONLY thing I don’t like it the lack of flexibility in certain parts, for example the game menu, but I can fix the code to work around that.
I’ll go try it out then.
Well, this sure looks promising.
This thing comes with it’s own builder, which is just pure sweetness, and renpy tools can apparently interface with just about any game built using the pygame library.
I think I’d switch to using this JUST for that reason alone.
Hurray, we can start writing! xD.
I’ll note that the general philosophy about the game menu is that we provide a reasonable amount of customizability through themes and layouts, and a bit more through the style system. Beyond that, you’ll have to write the menus from scratch, which is now at least somewhat documented, and probably easier that writing a new game engine from scratch. If you have problems writing custom menus, let me know and I’ll try to explain them further.
The best way to get support is the Ren’Py forum at the Lemma Soft Forums, which are at http://lemmasoft.renai.us/forums/.
Thanks for considering Ren’Py.